Mano Suave

Reviewer: DJ YJ


Yasmin Levy: Israeli singer of Sephardic ancestry. Daughter of Ladino singer Yitzhak Levy. Sings in Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), the Spanish of the Spanish Jews until their expulsion from Spain in the 15th century. A mix of flamencho and arabesque style. Amazing and emotional vocals, with a touch of melancholy. Flamenco style guitar with traditional Arabic instruments. Her songs range from anything from songs of love to traditional Sephardic songs and struggle for hope.

NO FCC's. Favorites 3, 4, 11

1- 4:45 – “Irme Kero” (I want to go) –Guitar with Arabic flutes; sings about longings for Jerusalem. Powerful vocals. Fast guitars at end.

2- 5:27 – “Mano suave” Melancholic flutes introduction. Both in Juedo-Spanish and Arabic.

3- 3:43—“ “Adio Kerida” (Goodbye, dear) – One of Yasmin Levy’s hits. A traditional Sephardic song. Simple lyrics that bring you to tears.

4-4:54—“Una Noche Mas” (One more night) – One of my absolute favorites that I can listen to over and over again. The flamenco guitar overlays match perfectly with the vocal story line that depicts the chilled longing for just one more night of love.

5- 4:26—“Nani Nani”- Flute intro, slow and calm.

6- 4:02 — “Komo La Roza” – Soft vocals compared to rest of the songs. Calm. Piano accompaniment with Arabic background fillers.

7- 3:21 —“Si Veriash” - Arabesque beats.

8- 4:29—“Mal de L’Amor”- Judeo-Catalan song.

9- 4:45—“Por la Mia” Flutes, soft guitar, soft vocals.

10- 3:32—“Una Ora”- Powerful Arabic beats intro with traditional instruments.

11-4:02- “Perdona”- Slow, guitar arpeggios, soft yet powerful vocals. A wind down song from the rest of the album.

12- 5:32- “Odecha”-In Hebrew. Slow. Haunting start, mysterious atmosphere. A call to prayer to thank Adonai, the Jewish God.